Search for missing BASE jumper ends after body found in Canmore area

A Calgary man who was reported missing Saturday night after failing to return from a BASE jump near Canmore is presumed to be dead.

“It was reported to the RCMP that a man had been planning a ‘base jump’ in the vicinity of Ha Ling Peak or the East End of Rundle Mountain earlier Saturday afternoon,” Canmore RCMP said in a statement Monday.

Search and rescue crews looked for the man Saturday night and resumed their efforts Monday.

At around 3 p.m. Monday, two people were dropped in to Miner’s Gully east of Ha Ling Peak and a short time later a body was flown off of the mountain.

RCMP have not released the man’s identity, but say that he was an experienced base jumper.

BASE jumping is when a person jumps from a fixed structure or cliff using a parachute or wingsuit. It’s considered more dangerous than skydiving due to the relatively low altitude of the jumps.